Nakina
Middle School
The Columbus County Schools Special Education Parent Advisory Committee (SEPAC) invites parents of children with disabilities to join a monthly group designed to provide support, answer questions, and plan special events. Meetings are held on the last Tuesday of each month from 6:00 to 7:00 PM at CCS Central Services, located at 2586 James B. White Highway North in Whiteville, North Carolina. Special Education educators will be present to answer your questions and provide guidance.
The first meeting will be September 30th.
Come and be part of this supportive community!
The first meeting will be September 30th.
Come and be part of this supportive community!
Good Evening Mustangs,
We would like to share the following important events and reminders:
See You at the Poles will take place tomorrow morning at 7:30 a.m.
We will also have Fall pictures tomorrow.
Students will receive their progress reports on Thursday. Please review, sign, and return the signed progress reports. You can also contact our office at 910-642-8301 if you would like access to Infinite Campus so you can view your child's progress at any time.
Our Mustangs will travel to Tabor City this Thursday to play soccer at 4:00 p.m. for the girls and 5:00 p.m. for the boys.
We appreciate your support!
Thank you,
Shelly F. Cullipher
We would like to share the following important events and reminders:
See You at the Poles will take place tomorrow morning at 7:30 a.m.
We will also have Fall pictures tomorrow.
Students will receive their progress reports on Thursday. Please review, sign, and return the signed progress reports. You can also contact our office at 910-642-8301 if you would like access to Infinite Campus so you can view your child's progress at any time.
Our Mustangs will travel to Tabor City this Thursday to play soccer at 4:00 p.m. for the girls and 5:00 p.m. for the boys.
We appreciate your support!
Thank you,
Shelly F. Cullipher
Campus Parent, the new Parent Portal for Columbus County Schools, is now open!
Follow these instructions to setup your account and track your child's progress!
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1tXiBNIz47UXa3neEqst6TgfK-WOTidCAzOAMlPIqCvs/edit?usp=sharing
You will need your child's student ID number. If you do not know the number, you may contact your child's school.
These instructions are also located under the "Parents" tab of the CCS Website.
Bus 129 is running about 10 minutes late this morning.
Thank you for your patience.
Have a great day!
Good Evening Mustangs,
This is Shelly Cullipher, Principal of Nakina Middle School. We would like to share a few reminders and events for the upcoming week.
Thank you to everyone who contributed or participated in the Annual Mustang Golf Tournament yesterday! The proceeds from this event will help purchase supplies, provide campus and school improvements, along with celebrations and recognition for students and staff.
Parents and/or guardians of 5th grade students, please complete and return the Vision Screening form that was sent home last week.
Congratulations to our Lady Mustangs for their wins over the Tabor City Colts and Williams Township Aggies last week!
This week….
On Tuesday, September 16th, our Mustang soccer teams will host the Clarkton Blue Devils at Nakina. The young ladies will play at 4:00 and the young men at 5:00 and admission is $6.00.
On Thursday, September 18th, our Mustang soccer teams will host the Bladenboro Bulldogs at Nakina. The young ladies will play at 4:00 and the young men at 5:00.
We appreciate your support as we continue to help students grow and achieve excellence and mastery in learning and life. Please don’t hesitate to contact our office if you have any questions. We hope you have a wonderful week!
Mustang Roundup of Events & Reminders
Shelly F. Cullipher
Principal
Our Agriscience students are learning about plant growth, irrigation, and weed recognition.
Students in Ms. Anya Bryant's 7th grade class participated in a morning meeting today. Morning meetings are held at the beginning of each day to build positive relationships and set the tone for the day.
Good Morning,
Bus 120 is running late.
Good Morning,
Bus 60 is having technical difficulties and will be late. Thank you for your patience.
Good Evening Mustangs,
Please click the following link to view our Mustang Roundup with events and reminders for this week: https://tinyurl.com/4xatakax
Thank you and have a wonderful week!
All schools will be CLOSED on Monday, September 1st, in observance of Labor Day.
Bus 201 is running late. Thank you for your patience.
Good Evening Mustangs,
This is Shelly Cullipher, Principal of Nakina Middle School. We would like to thank everyone that joined us for Open House last Thursday. We shared information about policy changes for attendance, electronic devices, open containers, etc. We will send home a copy of the 25-26 NMS Parent/Student Handbook which contains all this information and more. Please complete and sign the back page of the handbook and return it to your child’s homeroom teacher by Friday, August. 29th.
Boys soccer tryouts will try out Tuesday ,Aug 26th and Wednesday Aug 27th from 3:10-4:45. Girls soccer tryouts will be Thursday, Aug 28th and Friday Aug 29th from 3:10-4:45. Participating students must sign up with Mr. Darrow and have a completed physical form on file in the office BEFORE trying out. Participating students must also have a ride to pick them up at 4:45.
Our doors open at 7:30 a.m. at the front awning entrance by the gym for car students and the tardy bell rings at 8:00 a.m.Our car students will dismiss at 2:55 p.m. and bus students will dismiss at 3:00 p.m.. We do have a few transportation changes as all buses will travel from Old Dock in the afternoon to pick up our students. We have 4 buses that will pull into the front parking lot to load students upon arrival to campus.
We look forward to seeing you tomorrow morning for the first day of school!
Shelly F. Cullipher
Principal
Good Evening Mustangs,
This is Shelly Cullipher, Principal of Nakina Middle School and we would like to welcome our new and returning Mustangs! We have missed you and are looking forward to a wonderful year. We have a few changes and improvements that we look forward to sharing with you during our Open House on Thursday, August 21st from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Please enter through the gym and take advantage of stations that include information about schedules, transportation, health and wellness, recreational sports, spirit wear, and how to become involved in our Mustang Club. Students in grades 6-8 will also have an opportunity to sign up for elective classes. We are proud to announce that we will be able to offer Agriscience, Art, Band, and Chorus, this year.
We will have an informational session at 6:00 p.m. in the gym for all parents, guardians, and students regarding the updated attendance and cell phone/electronic device policy as well as any other questions you may have. You will also have the opportunity to visit the classrooms and meet our wonderful Mustang staff.
The TOM’s Truck will be available with refreshing beverages to quench your thirst. Students will receive a ticket for a free beverage when they visit their homeroom teacher.
Thank you and we look forward to seeing you!
Shelly F. Cullipher
Principal
This is Shelly Cullipher, Principal of Nakina Middle School and we would like to welcome our new and returning Mustangs! We have missed you and are looking forward to a wonderful year. We have a few changes and improvements that we look forward to sharing with you during our Open House on Thursday, August 21st from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Please enter through the gym and take advantage of stations that include information about schedules, transportation, health and wellness, recreational sports, spirit wear, and how to become involved in our Mustang Club. Students in grades 6-8 will also have an opportunity to sign up for elective classes. We are proud to announce that we will be able to offer Agriscience, Art, Band, and Chorus, this year.
We will have an informational session at 6:00 p.m. in the gym for all parents, guardians, and students regarding the updated attendance and cell phone/electronic device policy as well as any other questions you may have. You will also have the opportunity to visit the classrooms and meet our wonderful Mustang staff.
The TOM’s Truck will be available with refreshing beverages to quench your thirst. Students will receive a ticket for a free beverage when they visit their homeroom teacher.
Thank you and we look forward to seeing you!
Shelly F. Cullipher
Principal
This guide includes helpful info to get your school year off to a great start. Still have questions? Use the form at the bottom and we’ll be in touch!
Makeup Substitute Update Training - 9AM-12PM August 6th at Central Services.
HEARTS Foundation Presents:
Columbus County’s Largest & Longest-Running School Supply Drive!
The HEARTS Foundation is excited to invite all school-age children to receive a free backpack and school supplies—just in time for the new school year!
Important Details:
This year’s event will be drive-thru only. No walk-ups allowed.
All children must be present in the vehicle to receive supplies. No supplies will be given to adults without children present.
Date: Saturday, July 26, 2025
Time: 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Location: 116 Miller Street, Chadbourn, NC
Don’t miss this opportunity to get your child ready for school—while supplies last!
Attendance Policy Update
School attendance and class participation are an integral part of academic achievement and the teaching-learning process. Regular attendance develops patterns of behavior essential to professional and personal success in life. Regular attendance by every student is mandatory: the State of North Carolina requires that every child in the State between the ages of seven (or younger if enrolled) and 16 years of age attend school.
No more than five school days per semester will be excused based on parent notes. Future absences due to personal illness, injury, or medical/dental appointments, will require a healthcare practitioner's statement to be excused.
Students may lose athletic eligibility for not following the attendance policy.
Grades K-8
Students who are chronically absent (excused, unexcused or suspended for more than 10% of the days enrolled) are at risk of not mastering the content standards. Students may be referred for academic and/or attendance interventions within a Multi-tiered System of Support (MTSS). Grade retention will be considered due to a lack of mastery as a result of chronic absenteeism.
Grades 9-12
High school students who are chronically absent (excused unexcused or suspended for more than l0% of the days enrolled) are at risk of not mastering the content standards. Students may be referred for academic and/or attendance interventions within a Multi-tiered System of Support (MTSS). Students who miss more than ten days (unexcused) per course will be subject to an attendance-based failure (FF).
Cell Phone Policy Update
All classes in grades K-12 in the district will be a phone-free space to help optimize teaching and learning. Phones will not be allowed at any time during the school day, including lunch periods. This update reflects requirements as signed into law by HB 959.
High School students must store their devices and device accessories in Yondr Pouches as directed by the district. Students in grades K-8 must power off and keep devices and accessories in their bookbags during the instructional day. Provisions will be made for students that use cellphones for medical purposes.
Columbus County Schools may forbid student possession of devices and device accessories on school property.
Please note that Columbus County Schools will not be responsible for any lost, stolen or damaged devices.
School attendance and class participation are an integral part of academic achievement and the teaching-learning process. Regular attendance develops patterns of behavior essential to professional and personal success in life. Regular attendance by every student is mandatory: the State of North Carolina requires that every child in the State between the ages of seven (or younger if enrolled) and 16 years of age attend school.
No more than five school days per semester will be excused based on parent notes. Future absences due to personal illness, injury, or medical/dental appointments, will require a healthcare practitioner's statement to be excused.
Students may lose athletic eligibility for not following the attendance policy.
Grades K-8
Students who are chronically absent (excused, unexcused or suspended for more than 10% of the days enrolled) are at risk of not mastering the content standards. Students may be referred for academic and/or attendance interventions within a Multi-tiered System of Support (MTSS). Grade retention will be considered due to a lack of mastery as a result of chronic absenteeism.
Grades 9-12
High school students who are chronically absent (excused unexcused or suspended for more than l0% of the days enrolled) are at risk of not mastering the content standards. Students may be referred for academic and/or attendance interventions within a Multi-tiered System of Support (MTSS). Students who miss more than ten days (unexcused) per course will be subject to an attendance-based failure (FF).
Cell Phone Policy Update
All classes in grades K-12 in the district will be a phone-free space to help optimize teaching and learning. Phones will not be allowed at any time during the school day, including lunch periods. This update reflects requirements as signed into law by HB 959.
High School students must store their devices and device accessories in Yondr Pouches as directed by the district. Students in grades K-8 must power off and keep devices and accessories in their bookbags during the instructional day. Provisions will be made for students that use cellphones for medical purposes.
Columbus County Schools may forbid student possession of devices and device accessories on school property.
Please note that Columbus County Schools will not be responsible for any lost, stolen or damaged devices.
FREE Summer Meals for Kids Ages 1–18!
No registration required – just show up and eat! Students do not need to attend the school to be eligible. Meals must be eaten in the cafeteria.
Chadbourn Elementary
June 17 – July 30 (Monday–Thursday)
Closed: July 2–3
Breakfast: 7:30–8:30 AM
Lunch: 11:00 AM–12:30 PM
Tabor City School
June 17 – July 30 (Monday–Thursday)
Closed: June 30 – July 7
Breakfast: 7:30–8:30 AM
Lunch: 11:00 AM–12:30 PM
Acme Delco Elementary
June 17 – July 23 (Monday–Thursday)
Closed: June 30 – July 7
Breakfast: 7:45–8:30 AM
Lunch: 11:30 AM–12:15 PM
Open to all children and teens ages 1–18.
#SummerMeals #HealthyKids #ColumbusCountySchools
During a recent Board meeting, the Teachers of the Year and Principals of the Year were honored for their outstanding leadership, dedication, and impact on student success. The Board recognized these exceptional educators for their commitment to excellence and their vital role in shaping the future of Columbus County Schools.
TOY Nominees
Susan Carr
Adrienne Carroll
Connie Faulk
Karen Haley
Heather Tilly
Tonya Nobles
Michele Bolton
Darryl Spivey
Khadijah Tart
Lisa Hamilton
Kim Watson
Janet Hewett
POY Nominees
Kelly Beck
Shelly Cullipher
Leslie Faulk
